USDA Invests $2 Million In Clean Energy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, announced that USDA is investing $2 million in 27 renewable energy projects to lower energy costs, generate new income and create jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Four projects were selected to be funded through the Rural Energy for America program to lower costs and expanded clean energy. One of the projects is the Mark Schull family farm near Mapleton. Schull will install a 20-kilowatt solar array which is expected to save the farm $5,400 in annual electrical costs and replace 36,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power three homes. Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available at rd.usda.gov/mn.